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Prelude

What hell was this thing? The creature she had encountered was beyond anything she had ever fathomed could exist. She was well aware the Hope Councilor told her about spies led by a powerful giant, but she had never imagined she would let said spies get away because of said giant's abilities.

"Dammit!"

Radiata rolled over to her side, narrowly dodging a spiked red claw attached to vined black sinew, spreading her wings as she upheaved herself into flight. Her body carred specks of dirt from the takeoff, but this was something she had become accustomed to by now.

The odd contraption turned its triangular, shark-shaped head at a 280-degree angle, its neck contorting with a sickening crackle. She nearly gagged as the sight.

The construct grinned, its pterosaur-styled gray wings spreading in wrath. It stepped formward on as a crimson barrier formed aroud it.

In response, Radiata waved her forelegs and opened her paws, dozens spiked rods of light the size of flagpoples forming around the consctruct upon her movements. Upon her left paw closing, the makeshift spears converged on the barrier, a web of interlocking energy forming around them as the barrier cracked.

Standing stil upon its dark brown-ostrich-shaped legs, the construct sneered, its body moving backward as it prepared what seemd to be an attack. However, the only action it performed was a perverse motion fit for an old homonid far past his prime. The fact that its seemingly starved body was that of a warted, humanoid pig made this all the more grotesque.

"Oh, you really want some of this, don't you, Temperance Councilor?" The constructs's voice was deep and bordered along the lines of Serbian.

A scowl formed on Radiata's face at the contruct's words. She forced the barrier net to obstruct its view as the bulkwark neared shatterment.

Composing herself, Radiata formed her signature light weapons. Two collosal, partisan-bladed twin-axes attached to her forelegs, and an fifty-foot bladed flail-whip upon her tail.

As the barrier shattered, Radiata released her shredding arsenal upon the beast, wrapping the whip around its body before it had a chance to attack.

"What!"

With a grin from Radiata, the bladed weapon coiled around its target, purple ooze seeping out of its skin as the edges sliced and severed its body. The mace-styled upper part of the flail danged around his head as if it were serpent about to strike.

The construct could only gulp as Radiata placed her blades to its throat with a threatening, "Now... tell me everything I need to know.... or you die."

"I die if I do, I die if I don't...," The construct muttered in terror, its pulils dialating, "If tell you, I die, if I don't tell you, I die..."

With a shurg, Radiata slowly moved her whip against the construct's flesh, increasing the temperature ever so slightly for the sake of pain. The construct began to screech in agony at the searing sensations caused by the torture.

Grinning, Radiata spoke in a casual tone, "Then ask yourself this... are you willing to die slowly and painfully, or quicky and without me as the exectuioner?"

In truth, she hated doing this. Her underbelly heaved from attempting to keep up the facade.

"F-fine... my name is Momus. I am the weakest of the Demon Dragon Furher Rayburn's manipulation line golems."

Demon... dragon? Radiata couldn't believe what she was hearing. The third demon dragon to terrorize their world would on its in the near-future. The question was... when?

Looking into the construct's eyes, Radiata spoke again, "Who will the balance dragon be born to?"

"Aria and Quinn..."

A soft beeping was heard after Momus spoke the words. He knew his end was near. The explosive was activated.

"Radiata, back away!"

Although she knew not who spoke the words, Radiata knew something was horribly wrong. Without a second's hesitation, she constructed a cubic barrier of light around her as the explosion began. Her inner earlobes rung and her body jolted from the detionation.

It was over before it had begun. As she dropped the barrier, Radiata found herself in the epicenter of a blast zone bigger than most buildings, save for the ones in the main city.

Sighing, Radiata took her leave to infrom her friends of their misfortune. They would be heartbroken, for certain. However, that was nothing compared to the misfortune which would befall their entire world soon enough.

Chapter 1

The Third Demon, Rayburn

"So you're sure this will work?"

"Trust me, it will. You have no need to worry."

"Alright, here goes..."

A monstrous dragon had just awoken, opening his four sunken eyes, allowing their red glow to illuminate a small area front of him. His jagged, sword-like black scales created a scraping echo as his six legs dragged against the purple-tiled floor. He rose, allowing his sharp claws to click against his gray, embroiled, rune-encrusted bed.

After a stretch, his expanded as if were an aged balloon as his six wings spread menacingly. He finished this awakening routine by slamming his pitchfork-like tail-blade against the colossal ruby roman-style pillars of his chambers.

The demon dragon, also known as Rayburn.

"Hmph... that pathetic dream again...," Rayburn scoffed.

"I must acquire new technology to combat whoever will oppose me on my quest to enslave the dragons of this world... not to mention snuff out any of the undesirable species."

Shuffling through his chambers, the demon dragon approached an orb-shaped jewel, proceeding to place his paw upon the object.

"Kobolds... nekomata... were-panthers... all disgusting and insignificant creatures. Dragons are superior to any race...," Rayburn spoke condescendingly in his usual distorted, bear-roar voice and mixed British-German accent.

Removing his paw from the jewel, Rayburn proceeded to the titanium-plated armory which sat on the opposite side of his room. He placed his hand on the metal switch, illuminating the red, caged light.

Stepping into the room, Rayburn gazed at the various horrific instruments of war - quartz-powered laser chain-guns, nerve gas, napalm, acidic grenades, and worst of all - vials upon vials of diseases, prepped inside incendiary devices.

"So many useless species, so little biological weapons to extinguish each one. However, use of a pathogen would be far too dull. It would be much more entertaining to use force. To see them begging would be the _highest_form of flattery..." The words emerged as his trademark sadistic sneer.

Turning to a nearby monitor, Rayburn tapped on the connecting orb, the screen turning on shortly after to reveal a white, humanoid lizard.

His green eyes staring at the demon dragon, the lizard spoke up in a genial tone, "Ah, my favorite customer. Welcome to the Dry Necrosis Weapons Depot. What can I help you with today?"

"I would like to place an order for a few living machines," Rayburn spoke graciously, "Whatever you can muster will be fine for now, as I merely require a few 'problem solvers' for future endeavors. A certain overgrown rat is getting too close to mateship for comfort. If a child were of born said vermin, it would be incredibly problematic for me."

With a nod from the lizard, a beeping sound was heard. Rayburn smiled at the fact that his 'problem' would likely be dealt with sooner than later.

The tapping of claws was audible as a shadow rounded the corner. At this, Rayburn quickly nodded in thanks to the lizard man, placing his paw upon the orb, disabling and cloaking the screen.

A 37-year old red dragoness approached at this time, her pale gray wing membranes folded.

Speaking in her usual soft and slightly depressed tone and soft, motherly voice, the dragoness began to inform her master of her findings, "Fuhrer Rayburn, the gnome-golem scouts have returned. They tell me that a balance dragon has been conceived in the village of Janus Karin. A copper dragoness by the name of Aria is the mother, and I believe a sapphire dragon by the name of Quinn is the biological father."

The balance dragon, always named Electus, was the ultimate adversary to a demon dragon, and Rayburn was well-aware of this. However, the ensuing war that commenced upon a demon dragon breaching Tatsu Sekai was far from set in stone, including the outcome of when the two eventually clashed.

"I suppose it's time for me to find an appropriate 'Head Command Leader' for me to train...," Rayburn chuckled with a cruel grin.

"Should I appoint one of the lower-ranked generals or possibly...!" the red dragoness was cut off by Rayburn's claws between her neck.

Rayburn's grin shifted to that of a demon's as he spoke in a sickening, sweet tone, "I'm not that young anymore, Brid. As such, you are going to make me a 'Head Command Leader', my dear..."

The Red dragonesses' eyes widened. She was certain she knew full-well what her master desired of her.

"Please.... No....," the dragoness whimpered in horror.

The demon dragon only grinned wider, speaking in a sadistic voice once more, "I am the Fuhrer, and I always get what I desire. In _this_case..."

A barrier of hellfire was created around them, preventing witness to or escape from the deed which the demon dragon would commit.

The wolf had ensnared the prey which had entered its den. Its jaws were clamped around the neck of the innocent creature. There was no action to take but for it to surrender to its fate.

Chapter 2

Aria and Quinn

THE young copper dragoness's wings twitched slightly as a churning took place in her stomach under the swollen underbelly in which her egg was gestating.

Before becoming gravid, the copper dragoness was slender to the point where it would seem that she was what humans would know as an anorexic, although this wasn't the case.

Out of concern for her child, Aria had eaten an unnecessary amount; above that needed to transmit an ample amount of food to her growing egg. This led to her obtaining a more bulky frame. It wasn't necessarily one that could be considered overweight, but was far from that of the attractive dragoness she once was.

"Quinn... I'm going to be sick again...," the copper dragoness gulped in her young, high-pitched voice as her indigo eyes widened.

Attempting to hurry herself to the exterior of her gray, medium-small-sized solidified moss hut, horns created a wave pattern in the air while she temporarily removed herself from her domicile.

The copper dragoness had full knowledge that failure to reach her destination would result in her mate being forced to request help in sanitizing their abode once more. Therefore reaching said destination was imperative.

Upon reaching the outside of her hut, the expectant mother vomited into the deep, woodsman-shack-sized trench her mate excavated in order to allow her morning sickness to be alleviated without incident.

"I think we should inform the midwife that you're likely to be due in less than two days, Aria," Quinn spoke, in his mid-deep, seemingly older Irish-accented voice.

Nudging his mate's neck using the side of his bull-shaped blue-green horns, Quinn smiled.

The copper dragoness nodded weakly to her mate, moving her paw along the upper part of his underbelly.

As Quinn rinsed his mate's mouth using his water breath, he couldn't help but give a kind smile to his mate. He then placed his wings over her semi-husky frame as his hazel eyes met hers.

Aria gave a contented sigh, "So... who should we allow to help us? Vinusto can't deliver the egg by himself you know."

Quinn pondered for a moment. Temperance Councilor Radiata, although a local to the village, was certain to be occupied by her duties. However, her closest friend, Yorek was an option. The water dragon, Forden, was a very unfavorable choice due to the fact that he was rather gruff and made constant advances towards the former.

Quinn soon came to a realization of who would be the most practical to ask.

Turning his head to face his mate, Quinn gave a confident answer, "Felicie, Edzard, and Yorek would be the best possible choices."

This caused the copper dragoness to give an uncertain response to one of the aforementioned names, "Yorek? He's only twelve. He still has _nine months_before he comes of age and can select a mate."

"Aria, I know he isn't of age yet, but you have to admit the boy acts responsible _for_his age. He takes care of his sickly parents who never leave the house, he brings them medicine, need I continue?" Quinn replied with kind seriousness.

This caused Aria to reconsider her opinion. It was certain that Yorek showed a noteworthy amount of maturity for a dragon who had yet to reach what was considered the legal age to leave parental supervision in their world.

Aria gave a defeated sigh, "Ask Yorek, Felicie, and Edzard to stay with us for the next two days." Her tone became worried at her next sentence, "I hope Yorek's parents will be okay for that long."

The two mates left the domicile after this, certain that their friends would give Aria comfort during the laying.

Chapter 3

Felicie and Edzard

A mated pair of kobolds, both in their early teens, rose to their feet drowsily. The female's minutely overweight body brushed against the fur of her lanky mate as her reddish-brown hair moved into her eyes, nearly entwining with the male's night-colored tonsure.

"Good morning Edzard...," the female yawned contently, her soft, whispery and slightly-deep-pitched voice susurrating in her mate's ear.

The male stretched his slim frame as he removed himself from their straw bed, opening his eyes with a drowsy, "Morning, Felicie..." His own voice was high-pitched and slightly nasal, almost to the point of being reminiscent of a stereotypical 80's 'school nerd' archetype.

Even with this outward appearance, his orange-band fletcher status was far from demeaned.

As per usual, the Kobolds' words carried a German accent.

At these words Felicie moved herself upright, shifting her weight to the edge of the blue, foam-like plant which was their bed.

After they had risen, Edzard turned to his mate, questioning her in a confused voice, "Why have you gotten up like that for the past week and a half?"

"Uhm... I just feel as if I need to for some reason, that's all," Felicie answered in a shy and somewhat nervous tone.

Edzard placed his hand on his foxlike ears and spoke in an annoyed tone, "What about the fact that you started to sleep facing the other way around the same time?"

His gaze meeting hers, Edzard spoke in a serious voice, "You know that this is the season for stomach flies, and if you do have them and you keep going like this you'll need more than herbs to get rid of them."

"Uh-uhhhmmm... I just... I don't... I-I...," Felicie gulped, averting her gaze from her mate's, "Maybe I should go to the healer's to make certain I don't_have them. I've been sick since almost _two weeks ago."

Giving up on receiving an answer, Edzard gave a disheartened groan, "I need to get that test finished. I'll never become a master fletcher or even get my salary increased at this rate." With this, he took his leave of his straw hut.

Felicie placed her hands on her knees, lifting her sheep-wool sleeping blouse to reveal a green upwards start-shaped seal on her stomach.

"I suppose I have to be more careful from now on," the young female kobold sighed in half-worry, half relief. Her expression turned dismal, "I can't have the magic dissipate, but at the same time if it doesn't... what do I do?"

The verbally-projected thoughts of the young female kobold were cut off by Aria's voice, "Felicie! I want you to help Vinusto when I lay!"

Caught off guard, Felicie could only give a capricious, "OKAY!"

Placing her hand upon her face upon realization of her agreement, Felicie groaned in self-annoyance. What had she just done?

Laying back upon the bed, the young kobold girl pulled the interwoven sheets comprised of the soft, red, velvety 3-foot circular leaves of the Blood Dot Lotus. Said sheet had been a gift from her mother at this time she left home, which she had cherished ever since.

Chapter 4

Child of the Third Demon

RAYBURN created a vortex of hellish energy to surround Brid, causing the egg to develop at a rapid pace inside of her. He ceased his temporal assault as she began to enter labor.

"Damn.... You... gh...," Brid panted in anger as the egg began to leave her womb.

Rayburn merely smirked.

The calm yet threatening words that emerged from the demon dragon's muzzle at this time caused Brid's stomach to churn, "Oh, did I forget to mention...? I'm very_impatient. Take more than four hours and the egg is removed via my _blood-covered paw."

He wasn't a sentient creature. No conscience. No love. No kindness. Nothing but disgusting pleasures and sinful deeds.

"I... hate... you!" Brid gasped in pain. This was merely met with a sadistic grin from Rayburn.

Three and a half painful hours from the demon dragon's sickening words, a slightly bloody black, red, and gray egg emerged from Brid after a loud scream, the former falling onto the soft nest of felt, memory foam, and cotton that Rayburn had prepared for it.

"There, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Rayburn asked with false empathy.

The dragoness merely gazed at the demon dragon with contempt before crumpling to the white tiles of the medical ward in exhaustion with a rapid pulse.

In an act of curiosity, Rayburn gave a mild and nimble tap to the dragoness's jugular vein with the edge of his claw. He smirked and gave a sigh of sinful joy, "I knew she would survive. Brid will make an excellent 'stress relief toy' for when I need relaxation."

Following the dragoness's ordeal, Rayburn used his dark abilities to purge Brid's scent from the egg, replacing it with his own. He smiled sadistically once more, knowing the hatchling would have no matriarchal attraction to its biological mother.

He was a monster, but he reveled in the fact.

Rayburn began to give smug praise to himself, "Now, what to name this hatchling...," He pondered momentarily, then decided, "Nocturnal... male or female, it matters not. This hatchling will be my new Head Command Leader. It will be the one to lead my troops. It... will be my ultimate soldier."

Knowing his 'toy' would likely die from the hemorrhages caused by the laying, Rayburn proceeded to medicate the tears and other damage by applying his personally-crafted medical salve which was used to sterilize and seal wounds.

Chapter 5

Yorek

"Get our damn water out, you piece of filth!"

"Quit wasting time with that whore of a dragoness!"

"Get us some deer! We're starving!"

"You're disgusting! Do you really think you'll ever find a mate even if you do come of age!?"

These were some of the less uncommon mandatory tasks and indignities Yorek's "parents" compelled him to carry out and endure respectively. He was more than accustomed to such things by this time in his existence.

"Here mom and dad... I brought you a deer...," Yorek sighed in a dejected tone in his soft, whispery, semi-feminine, American-accented voice.

The creature was placed in front of the two porcine wind dragons by their young, grayish-blue feathered 12-year old 'child' as his dark blue eyes reached the level of the dirt floor.

Giving a hopeful grin, Yorek gathered his courage and made a request, "Can I see if Radiata wants to spend time with me?"

This got him nothing but a hateful smack on his wolf-like muzzle from his father's tail.

"_You'll spend time with _her when you get us more Ivy Bane, you ragged-feathered beast!" The father wind dragon growled spitefully.

Yorek gave a disheartened, "Yes father..." before rummaging through a barrel, latching his maw onto a bright red fruit with a green, web-like pattern and light blue specks upon the surface and throwing it to his "parents" in a gentle fashion.

"Go on, play with your little 'mate' before we change our mind," Yorek's mother snorted with disinterest.

Yorek happily obliged, albeit with injury upon hearing the word 'mate'. It was certain to Yorek that Radiata would never fall for him. His appearance was appalling. His tail feathers had been torn off at their roots and his claws had been filed to near the point of stumps. His teeth were even longer than that of an average wind dragon. He was disgusting. She was the most beautiful dragoness in the vicinity and also the Temperance Councilor. She was far from any dragoness he could hope to obtain. When he came of age, he would select a street whore to be his "mate", as his parents so often suggested.

As he exited his pauper-sized red-bamboo 'home', Yorek accidentally pressed his muzzle into the upper belly scales of Aria, causing her to yelp in surprise.

Yorek gazed at Aria with uncertainty and gave a worried questionnaire, "Aria... should you be walking at this time? Why did you come to my house? Is the egg doing well?"

Aria rolled her eyes and gave a kind, yet somewhat offended reply, "First, I may be gravid, but I can still_move around. Second, I wanted to ask if you could be by my side when I lay. _Third...," her tone and expression became one of embarrassment, "I think I may have taken too much care of my egg. I've gained so much flesh."

The succulent water of parental love. Something the young wind dragon yearned to taste, but was forever out of his reach. He desired more than anything to take in the comforting wool of matriarchal kindness and be guided by the shepherd cane of patriarchal strength.

It was impossible. He would never have this joy.

"At least you're a good mother. Your egg hasn't even left your womb and you love it so much," Yorek sighed, attempting to hide his depression with a smile.

It was at this moment Yorek came to the realization that Aria had asked him to assist in her labor. He could only give a surprised, "Oh, and I'll do it!" as an answer. Aria gave a small nuzzle to him.

"I'll go with you to your hut!" Yorek capriciously stated, forgoing his visit to Radiata. Aria placed her paw on his head, moving it back and forth. After the gesture of thanks, Yorek followed the gravid dragoness to her hut.

Chapter 6

A Gathering of Friends

THE next day, Yorek, Felicie, and Quinn had gathered around Aria to give support to the heavily-gravid dragoness. It was common knowledge that Aria was due to lay soon, if not on the exact day that they had arrived at her domicile.

"I'm glad you're all here. I'm fairly certain that I'm going to lay soon. Maybe even today," Aria sighed happily.

Although the mother-to-be knew full-well the intensity of labor pains, she had little care for it. She merely wanted to be a parent.

Quinn placed his paw on his mate's bloated mid-underbelly. He felt the egg in her womb, gently tracing the outline of it with the blunt side of his claw, making Aria give another happy sigh.

"So... the egg is going to come soon?" Yorek asked, slightly nervous of watching an egg emerge from between the lower-middle part of Aria's back legs.

Blood was nothing unfamiliar to the wind dragonling, but he knew the stretching may cause him to lose his nerve, possibly to the point of blacking out.

Aria gazed at the young wind dragon with slight insult, "Are you saying you're not going to stay when I'm screaming in agony?" Her question showed obvious anger.

"Uhm... I just don't think I'd like to see your egg come out, that's all!" Yorek answered nervously.

This caused Aria's expression to become one of understanding. He was too young to see the egg emerge from her, and she immediately become aware of such a thing.

Aria gave a soft response, "Alright. You can take my paw when the egg comes. You don't need to watch me push it out."

This caused Yorek to give a sigh of relief.

"Aria, Quinn and yourself will be excellent parents, I'm certain of it," Felicie sighed in a kind voice.

Aria smiled at the compliment. She was certain she would be as well.

After conversing for slightly over 30 minutes, Aria and Quinn retired to their stone-lined, crushed-fern-leaf bed, while the others merely made use of the dirt floor as sleeping quarters. They were certain that Aria would require each of their assistance during the laying. After a tap of the claw which closed the pink, umbrella-esque fungus upon the ceiling whose inert spores emitted the greenish-yellow illuminated the room, the four began their slumber.

This was the first occasion Yorek had slept with others. It was warming. It was comforting. It was something he never felt before.

Is it possible this is what friends were like? They were merely acquaintances at this point, but could they possibly be more to him with the passage of time?

Could it be possible for him to create a blanket of protection out of this newly-picked cotton of friendship? Would he be able to form a bond with these strangers to assist him in clinging to his wretched life?

Chapter 7

Premonition of Dark Times

ARIA awoke to the scent of herbs and water. She could only surmise that said herbs were to remedy or negate any infection that may come to her birth canal as well as any tearing to her opening.

A pair of 4-foot long, human-like arms embraced Yorek's tired body at this point.

"So, Yorek... you're going to help out this time? Aren't you a bit young for this?" a handsome, male Filipino-accented voice spoke in an impressed tone from what seemed to resemble the head of a horse upon the body of a powerful man as two equine hooves tapped the ground.

Yorek groaned in fatigue, only managing an exhausted, "Hey, Vinusto..." at the cloth-wearing Tikbalang midwife.

"Hey yourself , Yorek. Felicie said Aria is only an hour or less away from the laying, and you're still out like some kind of bat," Vinusto chastised the young wind dragon, albeit in the gentlest manner possible. Yorek could only give a sheepish grin.

A young, exceedingly attractive, breathy, partially-high-pitched, semi-British-accented female voice spoke at this time, "May I come in, Aria?"

"Radiata? Is that you?" Quinn asked in a confused manner. He had no idea the Temperance Councilor would take interest in their child.

The head of a white-scaled dragoness with multiple light cyan horns parted the reeds of the doorway at this time.

A familiar, nervous enthusiasm began to swell in Yorek's gut. This feeling had been persisting in him whenever Radiata was in his presence, yet he always shrugged it off to focus on the importance of their friendship. Besides, he had full knowledge that she would never accept him as her mate. She was a diamond, and he was rubble. That's what his parents always told him. As such, he kept his focus on the friendship which they had maintained for at least eight years. He could never bring himself to obliterate the attachment they had to each other. Not now, not ever.

He was rubble, but why was he unable to have this diamond be the treasure hidden in the rubble which was his life?

He was rubble, but why was it so impossible for him to take the step needed to carve him into a priceless statue the likes of which this world had never seen?

"Hey Radiata. I'm staying here to help with the laying," Yorek stated, albeit with low confidence and slight uncertainty.

Radiata gave a kind smile and spoke in a saddened tone, "I'm here to tell you something about your egg, Aria...," Her face turned to depression as the next words escaped her muzzle in dismay, "It's... a balance dragon. This means a demon dragon is on its way in fifteen years."

This information shocked the entirety of the domicile. The world would be forced into genocide. It would have another decade and a half of preparation, and after that another war - The War of the Third Demon.

"So... there's going to be another war... and my child... is going to...," Aria began to shudder as the words escaped her muzzle in a complete near-shattered voice. She was nearing a breakdown.

Seeing his mate's distress, Quinn began contemplating a solution to their current dilemma - however, this was far from something that could be resolved through pondering ideal scenarios.

A sharp pain resonated in Aria's womb at this time. The stress had caused her to start labor.

Chapter 8

The Laying

VINUSTO began to bark orders as he gathered his supplies, "Radiata, take her front paw! Quinn, take her other paw! Felicie, gather some reeds and place them on her crown!" After this, he turned to Yorek.

"Yorek...," Vinusto spoke seriously, gazing into the young wind dragon's eyes, "I know you wanted to prove you're a grown male when you came to her. Because of this, you're in charge of keeping her from infection _and_drying the blood on her opening."

This was a task Yorek never could have expected to be given. This was his rite of passage. He would be seen as a grown male - albeit in name only. It was still a requirement to reach the age of thirteen to be considered a true adult.

Aside from this fact, Yorek knew this would prove his right to be an adult. He inhaled a deep breath, moving to within a human arm's length from where the egg would emerge, clenching the herb-soaked cloth in his paw.

This was a test of manhood. His body was that of a sapling and his psyche was frailer than the weakest of sprouts, yet his inner desire to grow into a tree with the mightiest of branches caused him to accept the opportunity to fertilize the soil around him to promote said growth.

He was a sapling outside, and a sprout inside. He was weak. He was unworthy of Radiata.

Somehow, this didn't sit right with his innermost thoughts. Thoughts which he was unaware of on a conscious level.

Was his will truly weak?

It was, but somehow it refused to break in its entirety.

Six hours passed - reeds were constantly placed on and removed from Aria's head, blood was soaked up by the cloths handed to Yorek, and Radiata and Quinn's paws were constantly clenched by Aria. After an ear-piercing scream, the egg emerged from Aria, landing perfectly in the nest.

"Q... Quinn... I... I think I'm... going to have to sleep now... I'm... exhausted...," Aria panted, her stamina utterly drained.

Quinn nodded. He understood that passing an egg was far from a simple task. Aria unclasped her paw from his as well as Radiata's, blacking out from exhaustion.

Yorek, on the other hand, was finishing his own assignment of medicating Aria's wounds. He was near the point of blacking out in turn, but willed himself to continue. He knew that this was a deed which would leave a lasting impression on Radiata, friend or no.

"Yorek, you seem pale. Are you going to be able to continue?" Vinusto questioned in a concerned voice.

Yorek nodded, "I need_to do this. I'll _never be seen as a proper male if I'm not able to stand..." His sentence was uncompleted as he wavered.

"Don't... don't worry...," Yorek sighed in mental exhaustion. He had reached his limit. He fell, only to be held up by Radiata's side.

The young wind dragon's pulse accelerated due to Radiata's proximity to him, as well as the warmth she emitted. He composed himself, only to find that Vinusto had continued his work.

He had failed.

He had failed at proving himself to Radiata

That's all he would ever be - a failure. He let unconsciousness overtake him, never gazing upon Radiata's warm expression - one aimed only at him.

The Temperance Councilor had an unusual feeling inside. She was proud of him, but pride was something which had taken a secondary seat to this unusual emotion.

She was confused.

Chapter 9

Radiata's Confusion

"YOREK... Yorek!" a familiar voice called out to the young wind dragon.

His vision was blurred, his head throbbed, and his sense of hearing was distorted. Even with these factors, he knew the voice - it was Radiata. "R-Radiata?" Yorek moaned in lethargy. Radiata smiled.

Although relieved to see his best friend, Yorek had no idea of the hours the dragoness had spent at his bedside.

Radiata placed her paw upon his heavily-breathing chest. She spoke in an odd tone - a concerned, relieved, yet chastising voice, "Yorek... did you really feel as if you needed to push your mind to the point of falling to the floor? You had me worried..."

Yorek gave a disheartened response, "I'm... sorry... Radiata... I think... I think... I did push myself too hard. I'm glad you were... concerned about my safety."

Radiata shook her head in shock, suppressing a wail, "What? Why would I not be concerned you idiot? You're my best friend and always will be! And..."

It was strange - Radiata had no way to pinpoint her exact emotions at this statement, but she had a slight twinge of uncertainty as she spoke. Why did she have such an odd feeling as she gazed at Yorek performing the duty he was assigned? It was as if her eyes were fixated on a mature and honorable dragon intent on proving himself to the entirety of the village.

Radiata couldn't help but feel as if Yorek's attempt concealed hidden reasoning she could barely fathom.

For Yorek, however, Radiata's words resembled a serrated blade that had plunged itself into his heart, mincing it apart as the removal took place.

He was her best friend, and he always would be... nothing more, nothing less. This was all that was necessary to cause him to black out once more, and on this occasion, with tears flowing from his eyes.

"Yorek... what... what happened...?"

What could have been the reasoning behind Yorek's tears? The mere fact that Yorek was filled with pride one minute then shattered the next baffled her. In addition to this, the fact that her own heart sank upon seeing his expression even further confounded the dragoness. What was this feeling?

It was at this moment that Radiata found that her own tears were being shed. Why did she feel this way?

Radiata know it likely that she would be forced to wait for Yorek's recovery to receive an answer to her questions. However, there were duties that came before said questions - mainly the assignment of the caregiver to the new hero.

Chapter 10

Radiata's Assignment, part 1

A 15-year-old, blue-scaled water dragon approached Radiata upon taking her leave of the mid-sized rose-quartz medicinal hut, brushing his fish-like tail against her side.

His tone one of business, the water dragon spoke, "The council has tasked me with informing you that you will be Electus's caregiver for the next three years," He grinned at his next words, "Maybe you'll need help. You are a bit young for this."

The male's deep, powerful voice would have made him attractive to some females, but his deplorable personality would easily repel the smart ones.

Radiata merely slapped her tail against the pig's underbelly, proceeding to toy with the fins attached to his legs.

Her tone one of insult, Radiata gazed into the water dragon's eyes in a stern manner, "Forden... I do not_want you as a mate. I will _never want you as a mate. Give up, or I will personally remove your second tail when you next attempt to place your primary one at its current positon."

"Hmph... fine, if you _choose_to be a failure at your duties and lose your position as a Councilor it will be no fault of mine," Forden scoffed, taking his leave.

Forden grinned at his next thoughts, 'She will fail... she will lose her position... then _nothing_will stop me from taking away her innocence... And then... she'll be all mine.'

The reeds covering the entrance of the domicile belonging to the two new parents brushed away as Radiata spoke in joyous excitement, "Quinn! I've been selected to be the caregiver of Electus! I can't believe it! I've only just been selected to be the Temperance Councilor yet I'm the one that will..." She gulped nervously as the two stared as her with a somber look.

Radiata had forgotten the tradition of removing a balance dragon, always given the name "Electus" from its parent's care and disallowing it to obtain their scent.

"I... I apologize. It... it must have passed my memory that...," Radiata sighed, keeping her nervous tone.

Aria gave an faux smile, speaking in an understanding yet dismal tone, "It's... it's fine Radiata. I know it must be exciting for you."

It was true, Radiata was excited to be the caregiver of Electus, yet at the same time her heart ached upon seeing the faces of his or her parents. It was possible for her to allow them some leeway, however.

Radiata had full knowledge of her task, but also the loopholes that said task entailed. She already had felt a substantial amount of guilt due to forcing Aria to lay from stress, and said guilt was only escalated by her façade.

"I must see the council about... certain things," Radiata stammered, taking flight within seconds.

The two mates looked at each other with confusion, unaware of the resolve made by the Temperance Councilor, who was determined to bypass the ordinary code which the Council held so dearly. To do this, it was necessary to receive the blessing of someone above the Council - or at least, above the rest of it.

Chapter 11

Radiata's Assignment, part 2

Radiata passed the scenery for five hours - dirt, swamps, trees, and finally, the city of Sekai Tachiiri.

Radiata spoke in an authoritative voice through the elemental-barrier-covered door, "Temperance Councilor Radiata! I'm here to speak to the other Council members!"

The barrier dissipated, revealing the marble housing, sandstone-covered streets and golden-colored archways of Sekai Tachiiri. It was a flourishing metropolis of dragons, kobolds, wyverns, elementals, centaurs, satyrs, kappa, trolls, nekomata, and every other creature under the world's sun.

"It's been a long time since my last visit," Radiata stated to herself, taking to the skies toward the massive, circular tower which was the meeting place of the Council.

As the tallest and most immemse structure in the world, the Virtue Tower trumped the Empire State Building in size three-fold.

Upon soaring into the loftiest balcony, Radiata proceeded to the pink-tiled, blue-walled meeting room.

Steeling herself, Radiata emitted a signal flare toward the stairwell belonging to the head of the Council - the Councilor of Hope.

None besides the Council knew of his existence.

None had seen his face or body.

None knew his identity.

The obscure facts known about the mysterious male were his somehow-permanent 16-22 year-old state of maturity, his mid-low-pitch, masculine, near-movie-star voice, his height, which was six and a half feet at most, and his garbing - a blue cloak that covered the entirety of his muscular frame.

The stairwell to the Hope Councilor's room echoed with footsteps, finally revealing the man in blue.

"I know why you're here Radiata. You want to tell those two lovebirds they can see Electus every five days. It's cool with me," the Hope Councilor answered casually without being questioned.

Following his answer, the Hope Councilor raised the sleeve of the cloak, a ball-like gesture with an odd protrusion emerging beneath the folds. This was always done upon his approval. No one was aware of or could even fathom this gesture, let alone his odd phrases and idioms. He was an enigma, and had always remained one.

Giving a thankful nod, Radiata took flight once more, allowing the scenery to pass her by upon leaving the city.

Night had fallen upon the village by the time of Radiata's arrival, and all the inhabitants had fallen asleep, save for one water dragon who Radiata had no choice but to land by.

Radiata spoke in an assertive tone, "Forden... take a message. Aria and Quinn are allowed to see Electus every five days."

Forden nodded begrudgingly.

"Fine... go to sleep. It's late," Forden grunted angrily, taking his leave of Radiata once more.

As she traversed the village, Radiata drifted into thought, 'Maybe I do want a mate. Even so, all the males I've been in contact with would just see me as some kind of prize to win. I'm not going to settle for some horrible male like that...'

Reaching her domicile, Radiata's hunger, which she had ignored to this point, started to set in. However, she had no food to speak of. She sighed, laying upon her bed and drifting to sleep. She had done all that was required of her. This was all that mattered.

She had never thought of having a mate before. She had only thought of her duties and friends.

Why did she want a mate? Why did she want to be with someone? There was no reason for this shift in values.

Was there?

There was, but she had no outer contemplation of it.

She was oblivious.

She had no idea of her feelings.

She would have no idea why she felt like this.

Would she?

Chapter 12

The Egg of a Savior

THE next morning, all eyes were on the shining white and black egg. Even though to humans it would seem that the Zen symbol had been plastered upon the hard coating that covered the soon-to-be hatched dragon or dragoness, every single creature knew that it instead foretold very troubling times.

"So... how long until it hatches Aria?" Quinn asked his mate in a somber voice.

Aria stifled a wail as she spoke to her mate, "What does it matter, Quinn? You know the council will take it and we'll only be able to see it every new moon as tradition dictates."

The sapphire dragon placed his forepaw around his mate, "Aria... you know that a demon dragon is on his way. This egg is proof of that." His tone carried understanding, but also a hint of depression.

At this moment, Forden approached the two. The water dragon spoke in an annoyed, gruff tone, "The council is making preparations for Electus to be taken under Temperance Councilor Radiata's care for the first three years of his or her life. She said you can visit every five days if you wish to...," He walked away while whispering the words, "The weak little harlot."

This caused the hearts of both mates to leap joyously. They could see their child every five days! This meant that Radiata was clearly worried about Electus's well-being.

After Forden had taken his leave, Felicie placed her three-fingered, paw-like hands upon the egg, feeling the life energy of the hatchling. After a few seconds she nodded.

"It's only going to be a few more hours before it hatches, Quinn. I'm sure the Temperance Councilor will be happy to let you two visit more frequently if you so desired. She more than likely only wanted to save face in front of the rest of the Council," Felicie stated, giving a warm smile. The two mates nodded.

"So... have you thought about having a child with Edzard, Felicie?" the copper dragoness chuckled.

Felicie gulped nervously. She knew the question was unavoidable due to Aria's nosy personality. "I... I'm not sure if he'd want a child," Felicie answered in a nervous voice, turning away.

Chapter 13

Felicie's Secret

ARIA sniffed Felicie's entire body, smirking. Her scent told everything - she was pregnant. Felicie was going to be a mother. Aria had a feeling this was the case when she saw the way the young kobold looked at her egg.

"Oh... well, if he doesn't then he'd better think twice about mating with you next time," Aria remarked in a tone of friendly bantering, causing Felicie to place her hand on her head.

"You aren't going to ask me how far along I am now, are you?" Felicie sighed in annoyance.

This only caused Aria to smirk more.

Felicie groaned, "I'm two weeks in, alright?"

Quinn smiled and took a kind tone, "You have less than a week left? No _wonder_you're eating so much lately. Why haven't you shown?"

This caused Felicie to sigh happily, "I'll _admit_I haven't shown that much, but that's because..." She stopped her words and proceeded to make a few hand-signs, causing the illusion to vanish and revealing a large bulge in her stomach half-way up to her now-larger breasts.

"You're carrying twins?" Aria asked in a surprised gasp.

This caused Felicie to begin to shed tears. Her happiness gave way to uncertainty and shame. She had broken.

Felicie began to speak with a sob, "I... I don't know what to.... Do---o! Edzard said he didn't... want children yet...! Now... now I'm going to birth... twins! I haven't... told him... yet... because... I'm afraid... he'll leave me---e!"

The secret had leaked out as if were contained in a barrel filled with water and fruit. One last push. One last fruit. The leak had sprung, and there was no stopping it. The only way to prevent catastrophe was to plug the hole of secrecy with the paste of truth.

Quinn and Aria were shocked. They had no idea Felicie kept her pregnancy a secret from her mate! They could only hope that Edzard would forgive her - not for being pregnant, but for keeping it a secret from him.

Aria's slightly angry gaze met Felicie's as she spoke to her, "You should have told him as soon as the vomiting started. If you refuse to tell Edzard now, I will."

Felicie began to cry harder. She had no choice - she had to tell her mate the truth. She began to walk out of the room with a dismal frown, heading towards her hut in the small village in which she lived.

After walking to her small hut, Felicie brushed the reeds away from her reddish-brown hair and proceeded to walk into their room.

"Edzard... I... I have something to tell you," Felicie sighed in a disheartened tone.

Removing his sandals from his pawed feet, Edzard turned to his mate, "Oh, Felicie! How..." He cut off as soon as he gazed at the large mound on Felicie's stomach.

The young fletcher's face showed confusion, disappointment, but most of all - rage.

"I'm so, so sorry I didn't tell you!" Felicie wept somberly, "I wanted to, but I was just so scared you would leave me!"

As he rose from the bed, Edzard looked Felicie in the eyes and spoke in a hateful voice, "I hope for your sake the cub is mine."

This caused Felicie's heart to sink. He thought she cheated on him! Of all the things he could have said, why was it that? She swore to him on the day that they made love for the first time and became mates that she would never have intercourse with anyone else, even if she wanted a child!

"I would never break my promise! Please forgive me for not telling you! We have twins, Edzard! I'm so scared I think I'm going to pass out!" Felicie wailed, breaking down once more.

As he gazed at Felicie, the word "twins" rung out in Edzard's ears like the aftermath of a battle between two mountain dragons.

She was pregnant with twins. He was less angry at this point, but more concerned. She would have to pass two infants out of her womb - not one, but two!

Even if Felicie had cheated on him, he didn't want her to die in childbirth. She meant too much to him.

"Felicie... are they truly mine? No, are they truly ours?" Edzard asked seriously.

In response, Felicie nodded weakly, prompting her mate to ask another question, "Why did you keep it a secret from me?"

A sigh emitted from Felicie's mouth as she answered, "Because... you said you didn't want a child yet."

The answer hit Edzard like an iron mace aimed at his spirit, intent on crushing it like a small, weak log. He recalled at this point that Felicie's scent was strong the last time they mated, which he himself asked for to help him relax from the day's work after his fletching master made him place in more hours for not succeeding in his test for the level of red-band! She must have been in heat, but he was too absentminded to notice! He cursed himself for not being more careful.

"It's my fault. You were in heat when we last made love, but I didn't notice_it. What's more, _I was the one who asked for it," Edzard comforted her understandingly, drying her tears with his arm.

Gazing into Edzard's eyes, Felicie opened her mouth to speak, but found herself drawn into a long, passionate kiss with the intent of forgiveness, his Labrador-shaped muzzle pressing against her Bulldog-shaped one.

"I'll be a good father," Edzard assured his mate in a loving voice. He then brought his hand to her face, stroking her long, fox-like ears as he continued, "Just promise me you'll take it easy from now on and do all you can to survive the birth."

Felicie nodded, "I promise."

The two drew themselves onto the bed, Edzard placed his hand on Felicie's extended belly with a sweet sigh. They fell asleep shortly afterward.

Chapter 14

Birth of the Savior

THE next morning, Aria and Quinn awoke to a cracking sound. The egg was hatching.

The two hastily ran to the hay pile where Electus's shell was slowly breaking off.

A few minutes passed and the hatchling broke off the last bits of the shell, revealing a partially overweight male hatchling with a wave-like divide of black and white across his back and legs that contrasted each of the colors - his left foreleg black to contrast the white, his right foreleg white to contrast the black, and vice-versa. His tail was a mix of black and white waves. His plated underbelly transitioned from white to black for each segment. His neck was a wave pattern of black and white, and his head was mixture of black on white with an odd symbol upon it that matched his body coloring - the Zen symbol for balance. His eyes were also a deep gold color. As known of balance dragons, he possessed no horns.

"He's... amazing," Quinn whispered in awe.

"Has he hatched yet?" Radiata asked politely as she entered the hut. They nodded sadly.

The dragoness approached the hatchling, double-taking towards the doorway to make certain no one could bear witness to what she was preparing to say.

"I want him to get our scents. All of us," the dragoness stated assertively.

Aria and Quinn were shocked. Normally it was tradition to let a Balance Dragon hatchling take in the scent of the first Councilor to raise it - never the parents.

As the hatchling sniffed about, it picked up three scents - his parents as well as one other.

"Radiata... I don't know how we can ever thank you for this," Aria sighed in gratitude.

The Councilor merely brushed off the comment with a smile.

"I'm sorry, but I need to take this hatchling now. You can visit every five days," Radiata informed the two mates in a kind voice.

A scent was closing in on Radiata from a slightly over the length of an average school swimming pool to the south - a scent she knew all too well. Due to this, she needed to make certain no one heard or saw the deed she had just committed.

As she picked the hatchling up by the folds of his neck, Radiata gave one last smile to its parents upon leaving the hut.

As she traveled the dirt road, she passed the same water dragon as before - Forden. He was constantly making advances towards her, but she never paid heed to them. The problem was that water dragons were notorious for their persistence in acquiring what they desired, even if it was through forceful methods.

Radiata knew losing her position as Councilor would make certain that Forden no longer had anything to stop him from forcing himself on her and taking away her innocence, leaving her with little choice in the matter of becoming his mate. Few dragons desired a mate that was no longer a virgin. Even with these facts, she was willing to bypass the code and allow Electus to have the scent of his mother and father due to her nature of placing the needs of others over herself.

After the water dragon had been following her for a slight bit under a mile, Radiata snapped around. She looked at him with a hateful stare.

The words the water dragon whispered in her earlobe caused Radiata's blood to run cold, "You're too young to be a Councilor. One day you'll lose that position, and then you'll be all mine..."

Not wanting to lose her nerve, the Temperance Councilor narrowed her brow further, shooting a ray of light into her aggressor's eyes. This caused him to howl in anguish, staggering into a tree.

"OW! No wonder_you never found a **_mate!**" Forden growled angrily.

This caused Radiata to roll her eyes and give a vicious retort, "At least I don't whisper sexual comments into the earlobes of dragonesses!"

The comment caused Forden to look upon the dragoness with rage. Still, he knew if he were to try any retaliation it would mean imprisonment in the dungeon. Radiata was still a Councilor, and though he loathed admittance to it he still knew one thing - she was untouchable in that position. All he could do was gaze at her as she walked out of the village - albeit trying to only eye one place with little to no success due to her lowered tail.

This beast had its eyes locked upon her virginity, and would never cease its predation until it was sated by feasting on the bonding wall which blocked the entrance to her womb.

It was a monster which could only be stopped by assuring it would never have that feast.

It was a monster that required the feast to be devoured with care by a gentle and loving cub whose only intent was to comfort her instead of prey on her.

It was a monster someone could stop.

It was a monster requiring love to stop.

It was a monster able to be halted by a dragon who cared for her.

It was a monster whose unknown enemy... was Yorek.

She was oblivious.

.

Chapter 15

Radiata's Troubles, part 1

AS Radiata curled up next to Electus that night in her medium-small-sized rose-quartz abode, she began to sink into thought, 'I need to find a mate before he does that to me. I don't know if I will be able to keep my position for much longer with what I'm doing. If anyone ever realized the fact that I let this dragonling catch the scent of his parents I may even lose it tomorrow...'

Contemplating the very idea, Radiata began to shed tears, which Electus licked up from her muzzle kindly.

"Thank you, little one...," Radiata sighed with a motherly smile.

Electus was so sweet. She pitied the dragonling for what destiny had forced upon him.

A rustling sound came from the reed-covered doorway, causing her to jerk upwards.

"W-who is it...?" Radiata asked nervously.

The question was greeted by Aria and Quinn, but their expressions were fearful.

Radiata opened her mouth to speak, but was forced to close it when Aria spoke, "R-Radiata! You have to send a signal to Yorek as soon as possible! He's your closest_friend and also the _only creature in the area that is quick enough to get Vinusto to Felicie at this time of night!"

"She's feeling pain in her womb and I picked up the scent of her water breaking a few minutes ago! I even had to slide my underbelly on my ice to get here before it was too late!"

This caused Radiata's fatigue to vanish immediately as she pushed Aria out of her path, firing a concussive light blast above Yorek's house which exploded with a force great enough to wake any normal dragon. She followed the act with series of light bullets out into the sky, which fell into the shape of a note.

After a few seconds, Yorek emerged from the abode. Glancing at the note, Yorek's eyes widened.

Yorek! Felicie has entered labor and has most likely no more than four to eleven hours before the first cub emerges! I know it's late, but you're the only one who can travel to the outskirts of the village and back before the pain becomes too much! If you don't hurry she or her twins may die from any number of birth complications!

Yorek immediately manipulated the air around him to become hotter, causing him to be able to rise more easily, hovering for a few seconds before taking flight at the speed of mach 2.

'I guess she still needs me,' Yorek thought as he flew, 'What do I do to show her how much I care...? If I can somehow show her, maybe I will have a chance with her. But... what if I ruin our friendship?'

After two minutes of flight, Yorek landed outside the midwife's hut.

Funneling the air around his muzzle into a constant vortex to carry his voice, Yorek spoke in slight anxiety, "Vinusto, hurry! We need your help! Felicie has gone into labor and we need you to come deliver the twins!"

A high-pitched neigh erupted from the hut, followed by a thud. After a minute, Vinusto lifted the reeds over the doorway, exiting in nothing but a white cloth tunic that reached down to his knees.

"Ugh, for the sake of all... why is it that every one_of the _few times I'm having a dream about a cute female someone goes into labor?" Vinusto sighed, albeit with sarcasm in his voice.

Everyone in the village and beyond was aware that Vinusto had never seen a female of his kind. Because of this, he could never truly envision one. Even so, he smiled at every successful delivery and cried at every unsuccessful one.

It was truly a pity. Any female would swoon over a male such as himself.

"Are you going to make a wind tunnel for us, Yorek?" Vinusto asked impatiently.

Yorek nodded, creating 15-foot wide vortex of wind along the ground, covering the front of Vinusto's clay hut in dirt and grass.

"Sorry, Vinusto!" Yorek exclaimed, shooting himself through the funnel.

To receive "justice" for his defaced abode, Vinusto dashed through with an annoyed grunt, matching Yorek in speed easily as they began to reach Felicie's dwelling.

Chapter 16

Radiata's Troubles, part 2

THE two arrived at Felicie and Edzard's hut to find the former panting exhaustively and the latter placing wet reeds above her brow to alleviate her temperature. The two gave a sigh of relief upon seeing the midwife and the wind dragon.

Vinusto began to direct the three in an ordering fashion, "Felicie, try to calm yourself - breathe in deeply, but keep a steady pace. Scream when you feel your birth canal tighten."

After instructing Felicie, Vinusto turned to the wind dragon and gave orders once more, "Yorek, place your upper claws in her hands and allow her to squeeze them. Place your tail in her mouth if she needs to bite down."

Lastly, Vinusto gave orders to the father-to-be. "Edzard, grab your sharpest fletching knife, some healing herbs to keep her from getting wound sickness due to the tearing, some cementing herbs for the birth ropes, and bring a pail of water to rinse the cubs in followed by the cloths needed for their covering! If you wish to allow them to be scent-bathed you may want to bring in blankets instead."

Each of them did as they were told as Felicie began to breathe as the midwife told her, yelling each time she felt what humans know as a contraction.

Seven hours passed that led to the dawn light, after which two small, wailing cubs were wrapped in heavy blankets - one male, one female. Even though Felicie was tired, she allowed the cubs to feed off her breasts. They had to be hungry after what they had gone through.

"Ed... Ed.. zard...," Felicie panted, albeit in a slightly glad tone.

Edzard gave a happy loving response, "Yes, Felicie?"

"I... I just... have to catch my... gh... breath," Felicie gasped. Her heart was pounding out of her chest and her respiration heavy.

Edzard was worried at this point. The worst thoughts were passing through his mind. What if his mate's heart was about to stop? What if she was going to pass out from her pained breathing!? He began to look at her with an expression of pure, sheer terror. She had stopped breathing - rather, she was having the utmost trouble doing so due to her strained respiratory system.

In a last-ditch attempt to stop Felicie from the jaws of death, Yorek began to manipulate the air inside of her body, artificially forcing her to breathe. She let out a gasp as the oxygen filled her lungs.

"What... did you do?" Vinusto asked in complete awe.

Uncertain of what he could have just discovered, Yorek could only give an uncertain response, if not prideful, "I... I don't know. I just tried to force the air inside and out of her throat and she started to breathe again."

All four of the beings were silent. Yorek, this grotesquely unattractive and for all intents and purposes unintelligent male wind dragon, had unearthed an amazing potential for his entire specie, possibly even others gifted with wind manipulation!

He had grown. The fertilizer had taken effect with immense effects.

Hadn't it?

Had he grown due to seeing Aria lay, or had he merely discovered another way for him to further his ascent into adulthood on his own?

Had he grown a branch?

Yorek was amazed.

'Maybe I have a chance with her! Maybe if this gets out I can finally have the courage to confess that I love Radiata!'

After this, Yorek's thoughts drifted into more dangerous territory, 'I can leave my parents soon. Even so, maybe I can get her to imprison them instead! If she does it... they won't have any say in our mateship.'

The wind dragon was snapped out of his trance by Edzard's voice, "Yorek! Yorek! Why do you look so happy? Don't you want to let the cubs get your scent?"

This could only mean one thing, and it was impossible - two kobold parents were allowing a dragon to be a godfather to their children! This had never happened before in recorded history, and Yorek was the pioneer.

Overcome with joy and pride, Yorek stepped over to the twins and placed his snout on their faces, allowing the birth fluid to rub off on it. This in turn caused the cubs to sniffle in his direction, catching his scent in their nostrils. He pulled himself from their detection after this.

Unbeknownst to Yorek, a certain dragoness was watching intently, amazed at her best friend's discovery. It was odd - she always saw Yorek as an underachiever. Now she saw something else in him - vast potential.

Something else entered Radiata's mind at this time - Yorek could even be a potential mate! There was one fact that made her indecisive, however - he was her best friend, and she was his only friend. If she told him, what would that mean for their friendship if he didn't feel the same attraction to her? Even so, she had an obscure feeling in her gut when he was around lately.

Radiata had to admit it at this point - she had feelings for him, and there was little she could do besides tell him. She would jeopardize their friendship if she told him, but if she relented it could destroy it from the inside.

The glass of her obliviousness had been shattered by the hammer of Yorek's new method of assistance.

She was in love with him.

Chapter 17

Radiata's Troubles, part 3

IT was now or never - if Radiata's proposal was accepted, Yorek would be her mate... as long as his parents approved of their love. Even if they denied her, all that was required to leave his parents' care would be for him to turn 13 - the age of legal adulthood on the planet she lived on. She had no knowledge of the other worlds in her universe or the others beyond it, such a thing would be unimportant for multiple years.

"Yorek...," Radiata sighed nervously, bracing herself.

At the dragoness's words, Yorek gave a surprise turn towards the entrance.

"Radiata? What are you doing here?" Yorek questioned in a mixed tone of worry, happiness, and pride.

It was strange - Yorek's worry was due to the fact of informing Radiata of his feelings; his happiness was because she had seen his new breakthrough, and his pride was the same as the second reason, but his confidence had soared because of it. It was now or never.

"Yorek-"

" Radiata-"

They both had said the other's names in turn, causing their resolve to strengthen. They knew what they had to do.

Radiata sighed nervously in preparation for her confession, "Can I talk to you outside?" Yorek nodded at the question.

As Yorek emerged from the hut, his heart began to beat at a rapid pace. Was she really going to say what he thought she would say? Did she feel that way about him?

"Radiata... are you going to tell me what I _think_you were...?" Yorek asked nervously.

She nodded. "I just wanted to tell you that... I... I...," Radiata gulped nervously, losing her resolve, "I'm really, rea---lly proud of what you did!"

Yorek's heart sank. She didn't love him. She didn't feel the same way. He had to leave before he said something stupid.

"T-thanks I guess...," Yorek sighed. His voice carried sorrow and depression.

As she took her leave from her potential mate, Radiata could only give a nervous, "Well... I'll see you around."

At this time, Yorek began to have depressive thoughts about the words his parents had thrown at him.

"Useless trash!"

"You'll never find a mate! Radiata is too beautiful for a dragon with your body!"

"The best you'll do is some whore off the street!"

"You're nothing without us! You'd end up dead within the week if you left!"

Yorek let his tears flow freely. His parents were right. Radiata would never fall for a dragon with his appearance. However, his depression quickly turned to misplaced somber resolve.

He was rubble. He would crush this rubble to attempt to make way for a new project. The new project would be better than him.

Yorek began to have the darkest thoughts, brought on by his supposed "rejection" by Radiata.

'They're right... I was a fool to think Radiata would ever want me as a mate. So what_if I discovered something new. Vinusto can just tell _another wind dragon about it.'

'That's it.... I'm going kill myself tonight, right in front of my parents. If I do it when they're sober enough, maybe that will make them treat their next child better.'

The suicidal thoughts continued in Yorek's mind throughout his walk back to his domicile. He would have committed the act if it weren't for a single event - a signal flare from Radiata.